Rensselaer Republican, Volume 19, Number 11, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 November 1886 — LABOR AND LABORERS. [ARTICLE]

LABOR AND LABORERS.

In Encouraging Outlook in the Industrial World—The Utility of Water Power. A Healthy Stimulus in Manufacturing and Building Enterprise—ln- - dust rial Notes. The great activity in business circles during the past sixty days has stimulated manufacturing and building enterprise-in nearly every Stqte in the Union, The greatest activity is in the New England and Middle States. Large mills ore to be built at Fall River, one with 20,000 spindles. One will cost $500,000, a'nd run 40,000 spindles. Textile mills are to be erected at Lunenburg, Mass., at Danby, Yt., at Olneyville, R. 1., at West Paterson, N. J., and at several places in the South. New machinery is going into over half of the m inufacturing establ shments of these States. In fact, such active preparations for an increa-ing output were never before known. In consequence there is an increasing demand for improved engines, boilers, nnd machinery, besides electriclight appliances of every make in the market. Electricity is being generally adopted in factories and large shops. A discussion has been started over the relative merits of water-power and steampower. The water-power advocates figure out that steam-power, even in quantities—--500 to 000 horse-power—cannot be created or maintained -at a cost of less than SSO per horse-power per annum, while waterpower will not ordinarily cost half that much. It is agreed that there are hundreds of places in tho United States where valuable water-power can be conveniently utilized at little cost and confer important economic advantages on those who seek this but little used source of power. The makers of wood-working machinery have been encouraged during the past month by a large-influx of orders for the latest improved machines for ordinary mill work because of the large amount of work they turn out at less cost than older machines. Several accidents have recently happened from the falling of elevators without safety appliances. The competition is very close between builders. . The Brifish boiler users have a system established by which they may consult an association responsible for its advice as to what boiler to buy. This association is responsible for accidents. An English mechanic has found a new steel, or rather a new process for making a better quality of steel than is in use at present. It is good when great toughness is required. The Fall River spinners, when they demanded higher wages the other day, were told that the mill Lad been, operated for a year or more past at no profit. Then they .asked why so many new mills were to be built. Two 'Targe New England worsted mills are using a newly invented German cord, but it is to be materially improved, and the foreign patent will then be purchased. Manufacturers are watching these experiments with a keen eye, as textile margins are extremely light. Several reading-rooms are in successful operation in New England mills. Southern textile manufacturers are enticing managers cf Northern mills into the South by offering them large salaries. The New York plumbers cannot start their contemplated co-operative shops because the manufacturers and dealers in plumbers’ materials are organized and will not sell to them. There are inquiries in English markets, so a recent English letter states, for 100,000 tons of steel rails from the United States and the colonies. All branches of the iron trade are improving, aud in consequence the mill-workers and miners are already beginning the discussion of the question of wages. The statement is made that American buyers have inquiries in English makers’ hands for 50,000 tons of blooms and billets. American plate-glass makers have so greatly improved the quality and deep ased the price ot’ their products that they have orders on hand for delivery six to twelve months ahead. Two glas3-houses were destroyed by fire last week. Steel ties are to be madft. at Chattanqqga, Tenn., for Southern roads. - A Belgium firm has just ordered 1,200 -Awrfr halting fit. Rt. Tmnis. ■